‘KPop Demon Hunters’ HUNTR/X Trio Strikes Golden at 2026 AMAs, Sweeping Four Major Trophies

Las Vegas, NV — The supernatural-meets-K-pop phenomenon that has taken the globe by storm just added another glittering chapter to its fairy tale. The HUNTR/X trio from Netflix’s animated musical juggernaut KPop Demon Hunters turned the 2026 American Music Awards into their own golden celebration, walking away with four fan-voted honors—including the night’s biggest prize, Song of the Year.

Hot on the heels of their Academy Award wins for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (for the infectious earworm “Golden”), EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami proved that the crossover appeal of K-pop, animation, and demon-slaying narratives is no fleeting trend. The trio—nominated collectively as The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X—delivered a performance of electrifying gratitude that resonated deeply with the AMAs’ fan-driven voting system.

A Golden Night in the Desert: The Wins

The 52nd annual American Music Awards, held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and hosted by the legendary Queen Latifah, saw the HUNTR/X trio dominate in categories that underscore both commercial and critical acclaim. Their four trophies included:

• Song of the Year — “Golden” (beating out nine other contenders including Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Morgan Wallen)
• Best Pop Song — “Golden” (defeating Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild,” Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need,” and Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia”)
• Best Vocal Performance — “Golden” (edging out Lady Gaga, Raye, Sienna Spiro, and Alex Warren)
• Best Soundtrack — KPop Demon Hunters (Original Soundtrack) (prevailing over F1 The Album, Hazbin Hotel: Season Two, Wicked: For Good, and Wuthering Heights)

While Audrey Nuna was absent from the ceremony, EJAE and Rei Ami took the stage with visible emotion. “Truly this movie is fueled by the song and the fans,” EJAE said, clutching the Song of the Year award. “The fact that this vote is voted by the fans, that means so much.” Rei Ami echoed the sentiment, addressing the global fandom that has turned the film into a cultural touchstone: “Thank you to all the fans that voted. KPop Demon Hunters would not be what it is without our passionate fandom. Thank you for the hilarious memes, the crazy fanfics and endless support. Thank you for laughing, crying and singing with us for the past year.”

From Oscars to AMAs: The Meteoric Rise of ‘KPop Demon Hunters’

To understand the magnitude of this AMAs sweep, one must look back at the ground the franchise has covered in just twelve months. Released on Netflix in early 2025, KPop Demon Hunters follows a group of K-pop trainees who discover they are reincarnated warriors destined to battle ancient evil spirits. The film’s blend of high-octane choreography, lush animation, and a chart-topping original soundtrack quickly turned it into a global phenomenon. When it won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in March 2026—a feat rarely achieved by a musical—it signaled that the industry was taking the genre-bending property seriously.

The Oscar win for Best Original Song (“Golden”) was already a historic moment, making the HUNTR/X trio—EJAE (a solo artist known for her ethereal vocals), Audrey Nuna (the genre-hopping R&B star), and Rei Ami (the alt-pop provocateur)—the first K-pop-adjacent act to claim that prize. Now, with four AMAs, they have cemented their status as the reigning voices of not just the film but of the larger pop landscape.

The AMAs, unique among major awards shows for being decided entirely by fan votes, offer a barometer of genuine audience passion. For a franchise built on the energy of its fandom—affectionately dubbed “Hunters”—this victory is deeply emblematic. The film’s marketing leaned heavily onto social media campaigns, fan art, and even a viral TikTok dance challenge for “Golden,” which has amassed over 2 billion views. The AMAs haul is not just a trophy count; it’s validation of a symbiotic relationship between creators and consumers.

The Competition and Context

The Song of the Year race was one of the most competitive in recent AMA history. The HUNTR/X trio faced off against nine other nominees, including country juggernaut Morgan Wallen (“I’m The Problem”), pop powerhouse Taylor Swift (“The Fate of Ophelia”), and rising stars like Alex Warren (“Ordinary”) and Ella Langley (“Choosin’ Texas”). That “Golden” emerged victorious speaks to its cross-demographic appeal—a pop song that works equally as a dance anthem, a ballad for lonely nights, and a soundtrack for epic battles.

Other notable winners of the night included BTA, who took home the coveted Artist of the Year award, continuing their legacy as global superstars. Sabrina Carpenter’s album Man’s Best Friend won Album of the Year, while KATSEYE claimed New Artist of the Year. Taylor Swift went into the ceremony with a leading eight nominations but walked away empty-handed in the categories where the HUNTR/X trio triumphed. Lady Gaga, Raye, and veteran performers also found themselves outshone by the animated trio’s vocal prowess.

Industry Implications: What This Means for Animated Musicals and K-pop

The success of KPop Demon Hunters at the AMAs—and its accompanying accolades from the Oscars—is sending ripples through Hollywood. For decades, animated movie soundtracks were considered a separate lane from “adult” pop music, often relegated to children’s categories. The HUNTR/X trio’s victories in general-field categories like Song of the Year and Best Pop Song shatter that glass ceiling.

Industry insiders are now asking: Is this the beginning of a new hybrid era where K-pop, animation, and Western pop converge into a dominant commercial force? The film’s soundtrack, produced by a mix of K-pop producers and Western hitmakers, has already spawned multiple singles that have charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Mattel’s recent rollout of KPop Demon Hunters toys—the first for an original Netflix animated property—indicates the merchandising machine is in full gear. With a sequel already greenlit and a concert tour in development, the franchise is poised to become a multi-year cultural engine.

For the artists themselves, the AMAs recognition is a career-defining moment. EJAE, who previously toured with K-pop group LOONA’s sub-unit, has seen her solo profile skyrocket. Audrey Nuna, known for her experimental sound, is now a household name. Rei Ami, whose alt-pop edge has drawn comparisons to Grimes and Billie Eilish, is being courted by major labels for solo projects. The AMAs stage may have been just one stop on a long journey, but it provided the kind of prime-time visibility that transforms artists into icons.

Looking Ahead: The Future of “HUNTR/X” and the AMAs

As the confetti settled on the MGM Grand Garden Arena floor and Queen Latifah delivered her closing remarks, the message from the HUNTR/X trio was clear: the hunt has only just begun. With a sequel in the works, new music on the horizon, and a fanbase that has proven it can mobilize on a global scale, the line between animation and reality, between K-pop and mainstream pop, grows ever more blurred.

The 2026 American Music Awards will be remembered as the night that an animated demon-hunting girl group proved that in the digital age, passion wins—and that a golden song can conquer any realm.

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